Haley C, Author at Sodick Inc.

As EDM and precision machining technology advances, accurate and timely data has become increasingly important. Our latest software, LQ Message, is the newest innovation in machine monitoring and data collection. With the ability to monitor your entire shop floor and save all data on one device, LQ Message can help your team improve productivity, shorten cycle times, and foster organizational growth.

What is LQ Message?

LQ Message is a machine monitoring software that utilizes Bluetooth technology to connect the Sodick machines on your shop floor, enabling real-time viewing of machine data and machine health. These connections allow you to track the positions of the machines’ axes, the current running program, the machines’ cycle status, and more.

In addition to live data viewing, LQ Message can save CSV or XML data files directly to your computer. This data can be further expanded in an interactive dashboard through business intelligence software for in-depth analysis and tracking over time.

For an even greater level of visibility, LQ Message is also compatible with applications such as Slack and LINE, allowing for instant notifications about changes in a machine’s status and any errors that occur. These messages are sent to a specified channel that permissible users can access anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Optimizing Your Operations with LQ Message

Our newest software makes visualizing and interacting with machine data easier than ever, enhancing user-friendliness by localizing critical machine data. From the shop floor to the top floor, LQ Message machine monitoring software can help you make informed, data-driven decisions in your operation. Beyond data visibility, there are many other ways LQ Message can optimize your processes:

Improved Productivity

Having access to real-time data from all the machines on your shop floor allows you to stay ahead of potential problems. The software’s Slack/LINE message integration will notify all permissible users of any changes or interruptions that occur so you can avoid extended downtime in your production process.

Shortened Cycle Times

The combination of instant notifications on any device and live machine monitoring enables you to reduce the time between cycles and speed up your process like never before. Any user on your LQ Message software can receive notifications when a machine completes a job, eliminating the accidental downtime that may occur between cycles.

Future Growth

Now that you can export and save your machine data, you can analyze data over time to make informed decisions about your operation. You can start to track trends and catch issues before they arise with consistent data collection, helping your team implement changes that can improve your efficiency and repair machines before the problem becomes detrimental.

Start monitoring your machines today.

Never lose sight of the status of your machines with the addition of LQ Message machine monitoring software to your shop floor. You can optimize your operation with software that helps you improve productivity, increase visibility, shorten cycle times, and aid future growth.

To learn more about how LQ Message can enhance your productivity, connect with a Sodick expert today.

When Ken Fangman joined Die Makers Manufacturing in 1997, the company had recently bought its first Sodick machine and was looking for operators that could easily onboard to their new technology. Since that first purchase in 1996, Die Makers Manufacturing has been a dedicated Sodick partner and currently runs four Sodick Wire EDMs on their shop floor.

Die Makers Manufacturing began making tools and dies in 1994 and now boasts a state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot facility filled with the latest equipment and software. The family-owned business is a complete manufacturing solution provider that is dedicated to providing customers with the highest quality products in line with their exact specifications.

Why Sodick?

“They trained me on Sodick, and that’s all we’ve ever bought since,” Ken said when asked about his history with the company; “We’ve never seriously considered trying other machines.” For Die Makers, reliability and accuracy are key, and since 1996, the market has changed tremendously. Tolerance requirements are getting stricter, and customers are looking for the most cost-effective, time-conscious solution. Die Makers has been able to stay on the leading edge of innovation as Sodick continues to develop new, ground-breaking technologies. However, their primary reason for staying with Sodick after all these years? The reliability of the machines and the experts behind them.

“Customers demand tighter and tighter tolerances all the time, and Sodick machines are able to do what we need them to do. No one questions our precision, the accuracy is always there, the finish is nice, and they are very affordable machines.” But the machine tools are not the only pull for Ken and his team. Throughout the partnership, what has stood out to Die Makers is the reliability and expertise of the Sodick team. “The people at Sodick are friendly and knowledgeable, and they want you to be happy with the machine. If you have an issue, they do everything they can to make it right, whether it be service, applications, or consumables.”

A History of Problem-Solving

In the competitive industry of tool and die manufacturing, Die Makers Manufacturing is always looking for ways to improve efficiencies and cut costs while maintaining the quality their customers rely on.

“We keep our machines for roughly 7-10 years, and it’s fun buying a new one because the improvements are smart. The threaders get better every generation, the finish gets better year after year, and the accuracy gets better, especially on taller blocks. So we’ve always been satisfied with our Sodick purchases,” Ken explained. Because Sodick is dedicated to consistent advancement and innovation, Die Makers has been able to grow alongside them, creating more efficient processes as the machine tools on their shop floor become more productive.

For Die Makers, the automatic threaders and the improved reliability have been game-changing. With automatic wire threading, production continues overnight, realizing immense cost savings and highly efficient processes; “Let’s say you have a block on with two big openings that will take 7-8 hours to burn, you can do that at night and come back during the day to cut the slugs off.”

For Sodick, continuing to improve machine tools and software is critical. With consistent enhancements and new technologies, Sodick is able to support manufacturers through industry growth, market changes, and new applications by advancing alongside the competition, not behind it.

Partners Through All Phases

27 years later, Sodick and Die Makers Manufacturing continue to work together to bring the best quality products to market. Sodick’s dedicated service team has helped Die Makers cut down on cost, troubleshoot software, and maintain accuracy in each run, and as Die Makers continues to expand, they continue to purchase Sodick machines.
By partnering with Sodick, Die Makers transformed their production process and continues to evolve alongside their customers and industry. To optimize your own operation, connect with a Sodick representative and start a partnership that prioritizes your success.

In the face of supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, rising material costs, and technological advances, it’s crucial to maintain your competitive edge. High-speed milling (HSM) and vertical machining centers (VMCs) can help solve these issues, stay ahead of the competition, and assist with high-volume production and tight tolerance requirements.

High-speed milling is a machining process that involves milling a workpiece at high cutting speeds and feeds using specialized cutting tools and machines. The cutting tools used in HSM are typically made of high-speed steel, carbide, or diamond and are designed to withstand the high cutting speeds and feeds used in the process. This technology offers multiple advantages and benefits to the user, including increased productivity and shorter machining times.

The Advantages of High-Speed Milling

If you’re looking to produce high-quality parts quickly and efficiently, look no further than high-speed milling. This technology provides many advantages, specifically in the form of faster machining times, improved surface finish, and reduced tool wear.

Increased Productivity

With faster machining speeds, HSM can produce parts quicker than traditional machining methods, increasing the overall efficiency of your operation. This improved productivity allows you to meet tight deadlines without sacrificing accuracy and quality, adding to your competitive advantage. Sodick VMCs feature a 6,000 to 40,000 RPM spindle, making it ideal for high-speed, high-precision direct milling of hard surfaces. Additionally, the spindle is high-torque and highly durable and includes micro-oil mist lubrication.

Improved Surface Finish

Unlike traditional machining methods, HSM can produce parts with a fine surface finish. This is critical for applications such as aerospace and medical devices, where the surface finish has a direct impact on the performance and safety of the product.

Reduced Tool Wear

High-speed milling utilizes specialized tools that are designed to withstand the high speeds and temperatures involved in the machining process. As a result, tooling undergoes less wear and can last longer, achieving more cost-effective machining and minimizing disruption and downtime.

Higher Accuracy and Precision

With advanced software and tooling, HSM allows you to achieve greater accuracy and precision than you would with traditional machining methods. When working with complex geometries and tight tolerances, this improved precision helps ensure your finished product is of the highest quality possible. Sodick VMCs utilize a symmetrical bridge structure that keeps thermal displacement generated by the spindle within 3 μm.

Reimagined Competitive Advantage

With reduced downtime, more accurate results, higher quality products, and more cost savings, utilizing HSM allows you to hone your competitive advantage through pricing strategies and product availability. Using HSM on your shop floor gives you the opportunity to reimagine how you measure up against your competitors, ensuring you stay one step ahead.

High-Speed Milling: Best Cases

High-speed milling is best used for applications that require high-precision machining with minimal operator intervention. HSM is particularly well-suited for machining complex parts with intricate geometries, such as aerospace components, medical implants, and automotive parts. Some specific applications where HSM is commonly used include:

Aerospace Components: Turbine blades, engine components, and airframe structures are often created using HSM because of the advanced precision that can be achieved with vertical machining centers.
Mold and Die Creation: HSM is often used to create molds and dies for injection molding, die casting, and other manufacturing processes due to the VMC’s ability to create products with complex geometries.
Medical Implants: When producing hip and knee replacements, for example, the finishing and high-precision capabilities of HSM ensure that these components are compatible with the human body.

Solving Challenges with HSM

With the myriad of challenges facing the manufacturing industry, finding equipment that can help you solve these issues is critical. High-speed milling has many advantages when facing situations such as high-volume production, tight tolerance requirements, hard-to-machine materials, and surface finishing specifications. Ultimately, the choice of machining process depends on a variety of factors, including the desired part geometry, material properties, surface finish requirements, and production volume.

To determine the right high-speed milling machine for your application, explore our solutions and connect with your Sodick representative. We’ll assist you in finding the perfect fit for your operation.

LQ Message: Everything You Need to Know